Women with heavy menstrual bleeding often miss work, social activities and even report depression. A relatively new procedure called endometrial ablation may be the answer.

Whether it's planting flowers or chasing after her children, Sharon Walker is always busy and now she's a lot happier. Once Walker entered her 40s, her periods came every three weeks, then every two weeks with very heavy bleeding and more.

“Most women can relate to the emotional fluctuations when it comes to the monthly cycle, so having it every two weeks was not something I wanted to live with."

She didn't have to, thanks to Alegent Health OB/GYN Dr. Erin Evans. "Are you having any light bleeding?" Dr. Evans recommended endometrial ablation.

It can be done numerous ways, in this case with heated saline. Once inserted, the saline eliminates the lining of the uterus which causes the bleeding. The procedure can be done in a doctor's office with minimal pain and virtually no recovery time.

Dr. Evans says most women are thrilled with the results. "Forty percent of the time women who have the procedure have no further bleeding. About 90 percent of the time they are happy with the results. They have significantly less bleeding or no bleeding at all."

For Walker, it meant a return to a monthly cycle and very light bleeding. "It has given me my life back. I'm no longer chained to the bathroom and I can do my normal activities now."

Endometrial ablation is not right for all women. Those who still want to have children or who have uterine bleeding after menopause are not candidates.